Rodriguez has been among the more frequently discussed names not only approaching this trade deadline but also last year's. The lefthander has a 3.79 ERA in 21 starts this year, having regressed somewhat since his first 10 starts.

The Astros owe him approximately $4 million for the rest of this season and $13 million next season. The obstacle to trading him had been in part the $13 million club option for 2014 that becomes a player option if traded, essentially guaranteeing Rodriguez $30 million over the life of the deal on another team.

The intrigue, should a deal be worked out before long, would be that Rodriguez's next start had been scheduled to come against the Pirates at Minute Maid Park Saturday and he might come out of the other dugout and pitch against the Astros instead.

With Rodriguez gone, Wesley Wright is now the longest tenured member of the Astros as a Rule 5 pick before the 2008 season.

The 40-man roster remains at 39 with Owens going in Rodriguez's place and the other two prospects not on the 40-man.